Colonization in New England: Focus on Massachusetts

Introduction

• Discussion on colonization in New England, specifically Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts colonization involved two separate endeavors.
• Contrasts with Virginia's colonization which was economically driven; Massachusetts was religiously motivated.

Religious Undertakings

• Background: Henry VIII's establishment of the Anglican Church in the 1530s led to religious turmoil.
  • Catholics remained loyal to Rome.
  • Anglican supporters wanted a distinct church from the Roman Catholic Church.

Thomas Cranmer and the Anglican Church

• Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, shaped the Anglican Church to mirror the Roman model.
• King was the church's head, with a hierarchy of clergy similar to the Roman Catholic Church.

Calvinists and Separatists

• Calvinists, critical of clergy, wanted to purify the Anglican Church.
• Separatists: Calvinists who believed the church couldn't be reformed and chose to separate.
• Puritans: Calvinists who believed in purifying the church from within and embraced Congregationalism.
  • Advocated for decentralized congregational authority.

The Pilgrims and the Mayflower

• Scrooby Separatists: Group of Anglicans convinced of the church's irreformability by 1608.
  • Initially moved to the Netherlands but faced economic challenges and cultural assimilation.
  • Led by William Bradford to migrate to America.

Journey to the New World

• Negotiation with Virginia Company; permission to settle near Hudson River.
• 1620: Departure from England aboard the Mayflower (102 passengers).
  • Not all were Scrooby Separatists; included various groups (Catholics, Anglicans).

The Mayflower Compact

• Agreement for self-governance and separation of church and state.
• Recognized colonists as English subjects loyal to the crown.
• Early manifestation of separation of church and state in America.

Settlement and Relations with Native Americans

• Initial peaceful relations and cooperation with Native Americans.
• Lessons learned from Virginia's mistakes.
• Plymouth Plantation established in 1620, survived for 70 years.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

• Founded by Puritans as both economic venture and religious refuge.
• 1620: Chartered by James I as a joint-stock company.
• Charles I: Sought centralization, dissolved Parliament, leading to Puritan oppression.

The Puritan Migration

• 12 freemen decided on a dual-purpose colony for business and Puritan refuge.
• Meetings held in the New World; John Winthrop invited as governor.

John Winthrop

• Wealthy landowner, critic of the Anglican Church, became Puritan leader.
• Believed in creating a "shining city upon a hill" as a model for Puritanism.
• Organized a mass migration in 1630 with 17 ships and 1,000 people.

Conclusion

• The lecture will continue with more about Massachusetts and include a discussion on Pennsylvania in the next session.